Introduction

This article is about oolong tea benefits and does oolong tea have caffeine. This tea is semi-fermented tea from the leaf of Camellia sinensis manufactured mainly in China and Taiwan. Or simply oolong tea can be defined as an intermediate between green tea and black tea.

It is a traditional Chinese tea with amazing health benefits including anticarcinogenic, antioxidants, and antilipidemic activities. Due to its complex processing, oolong tea has a higher unit price than that of other tea. Oolong tea is also consumed by only 2% worldwide.

Does oolong tea have caffeine? or How much caffeine does oolong tea have?

Yes like other traditional tea, oolong tea also contains caffeine. Besides this oolong tea has polyphenols and catechins (1). Oolong tea contains 13 to 40 mg/cup caffeine depending upon the steeping time from 1 to 5 minutes. Caffeine consumption for adults should be between 120 mg per day or 1.73 mg/kg body weight per day.

Details of oolong tea components in mg/100 ml

Compound

Amount mg/100ml

Catechin (C)

1.65

Gallocatechin (GC)

6.68

Epigallocatechin (EGC)

16.14

Epicatechin (EC)

5.08

Epicatechin gallate (ECG)

5.73

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)

25.73

Allocatchin gallat

1.85

Gallic acid

2.19

caffeine

23.51

Polymerized

33.65

Total Phenol

99.32

Besides this other component of oolong tea are Caffeine, Amino acids, and Protein

2. Healthy Liver

Oolong tea also helps in lowering the lipid level in serum and liver thus is healthy for the liver. It also plays an important role in lipid metabolism and protects the liver and energy metabolism (2).

3. Prevents cancer

Studies suggest that oolong tea has the potential in preventing cancer. the compound epigallocatechin- 3- gallate present in oolong tea shows the prevention of cancerous cell development (3).

7. Prevents hypertension and atherosclerosis

Consumption of oolong tea helps in increasing the fat oxidation and metabolic rate of the body. Studies show that daily consumption of 120ml oolong tea helps in reducing hypertension in Taiwan (6).

8. Health benefits due to polyphenols present in Oolong tea

Polyphenols in oolong tea help in Lowering the LDL cholesterol levels. It also Inhibits the abnormal blood clots and reduces the platelet aggregation. Drinking oolong tea also regulates the lipid and inhibition of proliferation and migration of smooth muscle cells. It also boosts the immune system of the body.

9. Health Benefits due to Caffeine present in Oolong tea

Caffeine helps in increasing the metabolic rate of the body. It reduces the risk of Type-2 Diabetes, liver diseases, and cancer. Caffeine’s stimulation excites the brain and central nervous system.

Side Effects of Oolong Tea

Side effects of oolong tea are due to its excessive consumption. As the tea contains caffeine and polyphenols, therefore, it should be consumed in the limit.

1. Side effects due to polyphenols

Defective RBC manufacture because of disturbed iron bioavailability resulting in anemia. May interferes with DNA repair. Other side effects are Intestinal gas, Nausea, Heartburn, Stomach ache, Dizziness, and Muscle pain